The Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time, Ranked by Fan Votes
You lean forward. The soundtrack disappears. Every part of your brain screams that something is about to happen—and somehow the movie still gets you.
These are the scares that sent popcorn flying, caused permanent trust issues with dark hallways, and made fully grown adults pretend they “just sneezed.” Some attack with a face. Some wait forever. Some barely move at all. The only rule is that the moment has to hit like a trapdoor opening under your seat.
Was the diner figure worse than the lawnmower tape? Did the red-faced demon get you harder than “I saw her face”? Stop acting brave. Start voting.
T1. BEN GARDNER'S HEAD — JAWS
Ben Gardner's Head — Jaws is currently tied for the #1 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 100.0% head-to-head battles.
T1. CLOSET SCENE — THE RING
Closet Scene — The Ring is currently tied for the #1 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 100.0% head-to-head battles.
T1. CRYSTAL LAKE — FRIDAY THE 13TH
Crystal Lake — Friday the 13th is currently tied for the #1 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 100.0% head-to-head battles.
T4. BEDROOM CLAP — THE CONJURING
Bedroom Clap — The Conjuring is currently tied for the #4 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 50.0% head-to-head battles.
T4. DINER FIGURE — MULHOLLAND DRIVE
Diner Figure — Mulholland Drive is currently tied for the #4 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 50.0% head-to-head battles.
T4. HOSPITAL HALLWAY — THE EXORCIST III
Hospital Hallway — The Exorcist III is currently tied for the #4 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 50.0% head-to-head battles.
T4. LAWNMOWER TAPE — SINISTER
Lawnmower Tape — Sinister is currently tied for the #4 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 50.0% head-to-head battles.
T4. ZELDA REVEAL — PET SEMATARY
Zelda Reveal — Pet Sematary is currently tied for the #4 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 50.0% head-to-head battles.
T9. BIRTHDAY PARTY SCENE - SIGNS
Birthday Party Scene - Signs is currently tied for the #9 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 0.0% head-to-head battles.
T9. RED DEMON — INSIDIOUS
Red Demon — Insidious is currently tied for the #9 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 0.0% head-to-head battles.
T9. TALL MAN APPEARS — IT FOLLOWS
Tall Man Appears — It Follows is currently tied for the #9 Greatest Movie Jump Scares of All Time winning 0.0% head-to-head battles.
Other Popular Movies & TV Leagues To Battle In
Game Shows
2000s Sitcoms
Christopher Nolan Movies
Film Directors